Mohamed Noor Deen

APPRECIATION: Mohamed Noor Deen
Daily News, Thu., Feb-23, 1989. p10

To suddenly pass away at the age of 38, leaving two infants and a young wife, is not only a tragedy but a trauma difficult to comprehend and conquer by those who were intimate with the deceased.

Such was the fate which befell my dear classmate and close friend, Mohamed Noor Deen, while jogging at Independence Square on a bright Sunday morning on November 6, 1988.

Mohamed Noor was born on August 14, 1950, and received his primary education at St Aloysius College in Galle. A product of Royal College, he was the 'baby' in the English medium class of the 1961 batch. A gem-merchant by profession, he was always accessible: be it for a game of chess or draughts, carrom or cards; a trip outstation; a film-show; a game of billiards; snooker or table tennis; a swim at the SSC; a get-together amongst 'old cronies' during the weekend; a study in computer application; a discourse on books or sporting; a reminisce on the rib-tickling events of those good old days, especially at school; a dialogue on comparative religion or politics, etc; he was an active member in our 'clique' of a dozen friends.

He pursued his profession with diligence, not only qualifying in gemmology, but also in travelling, learning foreign languages, and meeting people in the trade. He visited Los Angeles in California a few months prior to his untimely demise.

Mohamed Noor was the hony secretary of the Gem Traders' Association, and also a charter member of the Apollo XI Sports Club where he had excelled as a batsman cum wicket-keeper at the J.R. Jayewardene soft-ball cricket tournaments.

I can recall when we used to organise 'combined studies' for the GCE exams, it was Mohamed Noor who used to excuse himself to perform his obligatory Salah (prayers).

May Allah shower His Light and Love on him, and grant him Jennathul-Firdous [Heavenly Bliss]. Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raajioon [From Him to we come and to Him is the return].

- Alhaj Ahmed Firoze Sameer